Vivekananda Cultural Centre has been established by SriRamakrishna Math, Chennai, to commemorate Swami Vivekanandaduring 150th Birth Anniversary as an illustrious cultural rejuvenator ofIndia and to provide training to Indians, especially the youth, in achiev­ing excellence through value assimilation.

Apart from the generous help extended by the Government ofTamil Nadu by providing land and financial support, several othershave also made significant contributions towards the construction ofthe building and establishment of the Centre.

To felicitate these contributors, a special programme has beenorganized at the Vivekananda Cultural Centre on Sri Vinayaka ChaturthiDay, 29th August 2014.

Vivekananda Cultural Centre launches new Yoga course

On the auspicious day of the birth anniversary of Srimat Swami Ramakrishnananda Maharaj, Vivekananda Cultural Centre(VCC) inaugurates a new training programme on Yoga. The course will be conducted daily at the VCC campus in the morning between 6:30 and 7:30 am. Ladies and Gents will be trained separately by qualified teachers. The course will start on 10th August 2014. To apply for the course, contact the VCC office on 044-28446188 or mail them at mail@vivekanandahouse.org.

The temple stands on the spot where Swami Vivekananda’s mortal remains were cremated in 1902. Consecrated on 28 January 1924, the temple has in its upper storey an alabaster OM (in Bengali characters). Beside the temple stands a bel (bilva) tree in the place of the original bel tree under which Swami Vivekananda used to sit and near which, according to his wish, his body was cremated.On July 4, 1902 at Belur Math, he taught Vedanta philosophy to some pupils in the morning. He had a walk with Swami Premananda, a brother-disciple, and gave him instructions concerning the future of the Ramakrishna Math. He passed away in the evening after a session of prayer at Belur Math. He was 39. Vivekananda had fulfilled his own prophecy of not living to be forty-years old.

From the reminiscences of Josephine MacLeod

At Belur Math one day, while Sister Nivedita was distributing prizes for some athletics, I was standing in Swamiji’s bedroom at the Math, at the window, watching, and he said to me, “I shall never see forty.” I, knowing he was thirty-nine, said to him, “But Swami, Buddha did not do his great work until between forty and eighty.” But he said, “I delivered my message and I must go.” I asked, “Why go?” and he said, “The shadow of a big tree will not let the smaller trees grow up. I must go to make room.”…

On the second of July, Sister Nivedita saw him for the last time. She went to inquire whether she should teach a certain science in her school. Swami answered, “Perhaps you are right, but my mind is given to other things. I am preparing for death.” So she thought he was indifferent. Then he said, “But you must have a meal.” Sister Nivedita always ate with her fingers, a la Hindu; and after she had eaten, Swami poured water over her hands. She said, very much the disciple, “I cannot bear you to do this.” He answered, “Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples.” Sister Nivedita had it on the tip of her tongue to say, “But that was the last time they ever met.” It was the last time she ever saw him. That last day he spoke to her of me and of many people, but when he spoke of me he said, “She is pure as purity, loving as love itself.” So I always took that as Swamiji’s last message to me. In two days he died having said, “The spiritual impact that has come here to Belur will last fifteen hundred years – and this will be a great university. Do not think I imagine it, I see it.”

A few months before his passing away, Swami Vivekananda said:

“How often does a man ruin his disciples by remaining always with them! When men are once trained, it is essential that their leader leaves them; for without his absence they cannot develop themselves!” (CW 1: 260)

A few days before his passing away, the Swami said:

“I am making ready for death. A great Tapasyâ and meditation has come upon me, and I am making ready for death.” (CW 1: 261-62)

In Kashmir after an illness, Swami Vivekananda said as he lifted a couple of pebbles:

“Whenever death approaches me, all weakness vanishes. I have neither fear, nor doubt, nor thought of the external. I simply busy myself making ready to die. I am as hard as that [the pebbles struck one another in his hand] — for I have touched the feet of God!”

Swami Vivekananda saved Hinduism and India by his inspiring speeches in the Parliament of Religions at Chicago in September 1893 and started several Vedanta Centres in America and Europe. His return to India saw unprecedented response from all sections of society throughout the country. The people of Tamil Nadu rose as one people to welcome their beloved leader and moved by their love and sincere appreciation, Swamiji stayed at ‘Castle Kernen’ (Ice House) on the famous Marina Beach in Chennai for nine days (6th to 14th February 1897). This landmark is now known as Vivekanandar Illam (or Vivekananda House).

The Ice House was converted into a ‘mart of joy’. People flocked to see and hear the Swami and he never ceased to inspire people wherever he went. To see him was worship and to hear him was religion. His personality drew crowds and the Swami was eager to get his message across. A public welcome was accorded to him at the Victoria Hall on 8th February 1897 at 4.30 p.m. and Swamiji spoke a few words to the ten thousand large audience.

His famous lectures, ‘The Work Before Us‘ and ‘My Plan of Campaign‘ were delivered in Chennai on 9th Feb. The lectures ‘The Sages of India‘ and ‘Vedanta in its application to Indian Life‘ were also delivered in Chennai on 11th and 13th February respectively.

It is befitting that these nine days are celebrated as ‘Vivekananda Navaratri’ and special programmes have been arranged at Vivekanandar Illam from 6th to 14th of Feb 2013.

Vivekananda Navaratri – 9 Days Program Highlights:

Note: All speeches, discourses will be in Tamil unless otherwise mentioned.

12th January is the birthday of Swami Vivekananda as per the English calendar. This day is being observed as National Youth Day throughout India.

The year January 2013 to January 2014 is a historic year as the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda falls during the period.

This year, 2013, National Youth Day (Jan 12th) was celebrated at Vivekanandar Illam, in a way, heralding the year long celebrations of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

The Day started early in the morning with Puja to Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Ramakrishnananda, etc., followed by Sri Ramakrishna Homa on the new ground leased recently to Vivekananda House by the Tamilnandu Government.

After the Homa Monks, devotees and admirers offered pushpanjali to Swami Vivekananda’s statue, situated at the entrance of the Vivekanandar Illam and then Arati was performed to Swamiji. Next Swami Tyagananda Maharaj, head of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society in Boston, and Swami Vimurtananda Maharaj, Editor of Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam Tamil Monthly, addressed the gathering of students, admirers and devotees. In the end Swami Gautamananda Maharaj, President of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai delivered the benedictory address. Afterwards prasad was served.

In the Evening (5 PM) devotional Bhajans were rendered by the Students of GK Shetty Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Ambattur, Chennai. Next was Silambattam (Traditional Acrobat performances) by the Students of Tamilnadu Mallakhamb Federation. Next was Villipattu by the Students of Jaigopal Garodia Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Kolathur.

Towards the end Swami Gautamananda Maharaj presented the performers with mementos and then Prasad was served to all.